fix request

Ethan Galstad egalstad at nagios.org
Wed Aug 12 23:25:42 CEST 2009


Hendrik Baecker wrote:
> Hiren Patel schrieb:
>> out of interest, is there a plan to have a predictable cycle for 
>> releases, and freeze/test periods before releases accordingly?
>> an example is the openbsd project which releases every 6 months no 
>> questions, at a set time before release, the tree is frozen and tested 
>> until release, while current development happens on another branch.
>> I think adding preset release cycles and test/freeze periods will be 
>> beneficial, thoughts?
> 
> 
> IMO there are more cons then pros.
> Aside fixed dates cheer the devel crew to do something until the next
> release they have to do something which isn't a relaxing job.
> There are creative times with many ideas and fun on coding and one
> release may hunt another but there may be times like a hot nice summer -
> I wouldn't like sit in front of the gcc only because a release should be
> in the next days.
> 
> But the thought to 'know' when the next release should be, would bring
> more transparence to the project which would be good... I don't realy
> know ;)
> 
> If we look on Nagios there are more individuals as commercial developers
> - so in my mind it's more coding for fun on the project.
> 
> In the closer past Nagios doors are more open. Ton and Andreas working
> together with Ethan for the core part. The NDOUtils got a new three
> person team too - so all is in change and would become more dynamic as
> before.
> 
> I agree with a short notification like
> "Next release may be soon. Dear list, please test and announce regressions."
> 
> Hendrik:
> No to fixed releases
> Yes to "Call for Testing"


I don't like the idea of set times for releases for pure OSS projects.
Its way too artificial/corporate for a truly organic project IMO.  Plus,
it takes away from the creative fun of developing and puts people up
against artificial deadlines.  That's okay when its a requirement of
your day job, but for people contributing their free time to a project
it has a way of sucking the life out of things.

Just my two cents, which are backed by little more than 10+ years of
involvement.

- Ethan Galstad

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